CaseDetails
    Summary
    Case ID
    23036
    Case Status
    Heritage Authority(s)
    SAHRA
    HFS
    Proposal Description
    Bloemhoek BESS (Pty) Ltd, is proposing the installation and establishment of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and associated infrastructure to accommodate the storage of energy. The associated infrastructure includes an on-site substation, roads, operation and maintenance buildings, fencing and other auxiliary infrastructure, that will ultimately connect the Bloemhoek BESS to the Theseus Substation. The capacity of the BESS will be up to 124 MW and is proposed to be bid as part of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) bid window 3 for the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP). The development is proposed on the Remainder of the Farm Bloemhoek 509, Registration Division Theunissen, situated within the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, Lejweleputswa District Municipality. The town of Virginia is located approximately 11 km northeast of the proposed development.
    The Bloemhoek BESS will save and store excess energy during low demand and will provide energy into the national grid, via the Theseus Substation during high demand periods.
    The proposed Bloemhoek BESS and Associated Infrastructure will include the following infrastructure:
    • Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), of up to 124 MW required for the storage of excess energy / electricity (including containers, Power Conversion System (PCS), auxiliary transformers and backup generators, crane pads and mats, and a reference weather station), located within an approximately 10 ha area.
    • Inverters and transformers to ultimately connect the Bloemhoek BESS to the Theseus Substation.
    • On-site Facility Substation, located within an approximately 1 ha area.
    • Switching Substation, located within an approximately 1 ha area.
    • Internal, access, and perimeter roads to access the various project components.
    • Supporting infrastructure is required in the form of auxiliary buildings (including basic services such as water and electricity). These include Operations & Maintenance (O&M) building, weather station, storage facility, offices, security control, and a laydown area.
    • For health, safety and security reasons, the facility will be required to be fenced off from the surrounding farms, with a fence height of approximately 3,5 metres.
    Connection to the existing Eskom Theseus Substation will be via an OHPL which will be assessed and approved in a separate application process. The proposed Bloemhoek BESS and Associated Infrastructure project is currently undergoing a registration process in terms of GNR 4557 of 27 March 2024.

    Province(s): Free State
    Author
    Lisa.DeLange
    Last modified
    06/11/2024 - 10:16
    Reports
    Official
    Case Officers
      Location
      Location
      Decisions, Comments + Permits
      Decision Date Type
      Final Decision Access Document